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Congenital syphilis case(s) have recently been identified in the TBDHU area. At a national level, record-high numbers of congenital syphilis cases (96 cases) were reported in 2021, representing a significant increase over historical norms of 10 or less cases per year1. Local syphilis rates are…


Everyone 6 months and older is now eligible to receive FREE flu and COVID-19 vaccines if they live, work or go to school in Ontario, unless there is a medical reason not to.
Find a  pharmacy - Use the provincial pharmacy locator to find a pharmacy providing COVID-19…

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Date
Contents




April 10, 2025


Spring Update: Covid-19 and RSV Vaccine




April 7, 2025


Early Frequent Issues - HPV Primary Screening
NEW Resources: Syphilis, Sexual Health, & U=U
IPV Shortage
Measles Vaccine and Travel…

PLEASE NOTE: This page provides up to date information about active outbreaks within the Thunder Bay and District.

An outbreak is declared in a facility when there is a higher than normal rate of respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms among the residents. The public are notified through this…

What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by the coxsackie virus. The infection can occur at any age, but it is most likely to affect young children. It usually occurs in the summer and fall. This infection is not related to the virus that causes…

What is Amebiasis?

Amebiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, called Entamoeba histolytica (ent-a-ME-ba his-to-LI-ti-ka). Amebiasis occurs worldwide.  Although, anyone can acquire this illness, it is most common in people who live in developing countries…

What is Anthrax?

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It is primarily a disease of sheep, goats, cattle and swine, but it can also infect humans. Symptoms of the disease usually occur within 7 days after exposure and will vary…

What is Botulism?

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (klos-trih-dee-um bot-u-li-num). There are four kinds of botulism which are food-borne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism and adult…

What is Brucellosis?

Brucellosis, or Undulant Fever, is a rare infectious disease caused by Brucella bacteria. These bacteria are passed, and cause disease, primarily among animals. Various Brucella bacteria affect sheep, goats, cattle, deer, elk, pigs, dogs, and several other animals.

Humans…

What is Campylobacteriosis?

Campylobacteriosis (cam·py·lo·bac·teer-ee-o-sis) is a disease caused by bacteria called Campylobacter. Campylobacter infect the intestinal tract and sometimes the blood.  There are 16 species and six subspecies assigned to the genus Campylobacter, of which the most…

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. About 90 percent of chickenpox cases occur before the child becomes 12 years of age.  There is a vaccine.

 

What are the symptoms of Chickenpox?

Children with chickenpox will feel flu-like symptoms such as fatigue…

What is Cholera?

Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by eating or drinking food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

 

How common is Cholera?

Cholera is not a common disease in Canada. In Ontario, an average of one case per year is reported and all cases have…

What is Clostridium difficile (C. diff)?

C. diff is one of the many germs (bacteria) that can be found in stool (a bowel movement). C. diff disease occurs when antibiotics kill your good bowel bacteria and allow the C. diff to grow. When C. diff grows, it produces substances (toxins). These toxins…

What is Pink Eye?

Infectious conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an infection of the clear membrane covering the eyeball. It is usually caused by a virus but may also be caused by bacteria.  Bacterial conjunctivitis is less common in children older than 5 years of age.  Allergies, exposure…

What is E. coli?

E. coli are bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. There are different types of E. coli; some not harmful to people and some which cause serious illness such as E. coli O157: H7.

 

How can you get sick from the harmful type of E. coli?…